Dam levels in KwaZulu-Natal have marginally increased from last week’s 87.7% to 88.9% this week. According to a weekly dam levels reports issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the increase is attributed to the rains which were experienced in some of parts of the province last week. Comparative to a similar period last year, the overall storage capacity recorded stood at 73.2%.
Also seeing a minimal increase is the Umgeni Water Supply System which stands at 102.5% up from 101.5% recorded in the previous week. One of the province’s largest dams, Albert-Falls Dam is at full capacity at 103.1% this week from 102.4% last week. Meanwhile the Midmar Dam is up from 98.9% to 101.0%, Nagle Dam stands at 102.6% from last week’s 101.9% and Inanda Dam is at 103.7% from 102.8%.
Hazelmere Dam on the Mdloti River is slightly up from 53.3% to 55.7% while the Driel Barrage and Woodstock Dams on the Tugela River remain unchanged at last week’s 86.6% and 88.5% respectively.
Also on the Tugela River, Spioenkop Dam has declined from 103.2% to 100.7%. Klipfontein Dam has decreased from 101.3% to 100.5%. Hluhluwe Dam is down from 70.0% to 69.1%.
Bivane and Zaaihoek Dams have not moved, recording 101.3% and 90.6% respectively. Wagendrift Dam is slightly up from 102.3% to 103.2%, Ntshingwayo Dam is at 77.2% to 77.3% meanwhile Goedertrouw Dam has recorded 86.0% from 85.7% last week.
The Department has called on water consumers to intensify water conservation even as most dams in the province are above average.
“We appeal to everyone to continue using water sparingly, especially as we are heading towards the winter season which we will experience marginal rainfall,” said the Department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.
He added that they are working around the clock to complete bulk water projects as a way to ensure water security in the provinces and across the country.
“One such a project is the raising of the Hazelmere Dam wall from 85.98m to 93.00m through the construction of a Piano Key Weir which will increase the dam’s storage capacity from 23.9 million cubic metres to 43.6 million cubic metres,” he said.
Since commencement of construction at the Dam, 110 employment opportunities have been created for skilled and semi-skilled locals in KZN’s North Coast.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
